Access Guide
Overview (Royal Berkshire Hospital)
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About
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- This is a large general hospital foundation trust and the main provider of acute and specialist care services for Berkshire West.
- Facilities available in the venue include: Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), a Pharmacy, a buggy transportation service ran by volunteers to assist those with mobility issues, volunteer help desks for wayfinding, a variety of cafes and restaurants on Level 1 and Level 2 of the building, a convenience store and M&S Food.
- View information on opening times
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Parking and Public Transport
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- The venue has its own car park, with Blue Badge parking available.
- There is a drop-off point, on-street standard parking and a taxi rank.
- The nearest train station is Reading Railway Station.
- The nearest bus station is Reading Bus Station.
- For the latest travel options and information you can plan your travel using Google Maps (opens new tab).
- View information on getting here (opens new tab) .
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Getting In and Around
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- There is step-free level access at the most accessible entrance.
- The main and most accessible entrance is via Level 2 of the Craven Road Multi-Storey car park entrance, which enters the hospital at the Level 2 Main Entrance foyer.
There are alternative entrances which are step-free level via lift throughout Levels 0, 1 and 3 of the multi-storey car park and step-free via ramped and lift access at the Level 1 Main Entrance - Craven Road.
Each Block of the hospital has its own entrance located around the hospital site and its surrounding roads with varying levels of access. - There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
- The following areas have step-free access via ramps or slopes: a slight ramp in the main entrance foyer corridor into the Centre Block on Level 2, a slight ramp along the Centre Block corridor on Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 leading towards the Eye Block, a slight ramp between the Eye Block and Battle Block corridor on Level 2, a slight ramp leading from the Maternity Block into the South Block on Level 2, slight ramps in the corridor between the Battle Block and North Block on Level 1, a steep ramp leading from the North Block to the Berkshire Cancer Centre on Level 1 and slight ramps on either side of the North Block corridor on Level 2.
- The following areas have stepped access: the Centre Block corridor on Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 leading towards the Eye Block.
- Access throughout may include manual doors, doors permanently held open, automatic doors and narrow walkways.
- All levels of the building can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
- There are also a number of gender neutral and designated stoma-friendly toilets located around the hospital building.
A changing place is available at the Level 1 Main Entrance.
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Getting Help and Assistance
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- There is seating available.
- There is a fixed hearing assistance system.
- You can borrow or hire the following equipment: a manual wheelchair and walking aids.
- There is a designated safe space which can be used by people with dementia, autism or learning disabilities.
- The designated safe space is located in the Sanctuary multi-faith room.
- British Sign Language interpreters can be provided on request.
- Documents are available in the following formats: Braille (on request), large print (on request), different languages (on request) and audio (on request).
- There is not a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
- There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
- Additional facilities/services include: an ATM machine, a pay phone, Wi-Fi and TV pre-pay machines for patients.
- Staff receive the following training: mandatory disability awareness training.
Parking (Addington Road)
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On-street Parking
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- On-street standard parking is available.
- Standard on-street parking is available to the left side of the hospital building, on Addington Road.
Parking (Craven Road Multi-Storey Car Park - Levels 0-3)
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Car Park
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- The car park is located on Craven Road.
- The car park is multi-storey.
- The car park surface consists of concrete.
- The height of the restriction barrier is 220cm.
- There are 15+ designated Blue Badge parking bays available.
- The Blue Badge bays are clearly marked and signposted.
- The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 229cm (width) x 460cm (depth).
- There is a marked zone to both sides but not at the rear.
- The width of the marked zone is 126cm.
- The nearest designated bay is 4m from the Level 2 Main Entrance.
- The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access and bollards.
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Charges and Restrictions
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- This car park is for visitors and Blue Badge holders only.
- Parking is not free for all users.
- Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
- Clearly presented parking signs are available.
- Payment machines are located on Level 0, 1, 2 and 3 of the car park.
- There is not a payment machine with controls at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- There is not a level manoeuvring space for a wheelchair user in front of the payment machine (185cm x 210cm).
- View information on parking policies/charges (opens new tab).
- This is a pay on exit car park.
Blue Badge holders can park for free if they verify their Blue Badge and car registration at the parking desk in the main entrance foyer on Level 2.
Staff permit holders are to park on Levels 4-6 of the car park.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is a designated drop-off point available.
- The designated drop-off point is located on Level 2 of the car park.
Getting To (Viewing Suite (Mortuary))
- The Viewing Suite (Mortuary) is/are located on Level 1 of the South Block.
- Access to the Viewing Suite (Mortuary) is via the Level 2 South Block - Addington Road entrance.
- Enter via the Level 2 South Block - Addington Road entrance and follow the corridor past the welcome desk and the café on your right. Continue along the corridor until you reach lift 20 on your left. Take the lift down to Level 1. Exit the lift, turn right and follow the corridor until you reach the restaurant doors. Go through the doors and the entrance to the Viewing Suite (Mortuary) is located at the end of the corridor.
- There is step free access, via lift, to the Viewing Suite (Mortuary).
- The Viewing Suite (Mortuary) is approximately 27m from the lift 5005.
- There is a/are manual, double door(s) which may be difficult to open between the Level 2 South Block - Addington Road entrance and the department/service.
- There are not resting areas along the route.
- Wayfinding signage is not provided.
- Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
- There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
- There is some flooring in corridors which includes patterns or colours which could be confusing or look like steps or holes to some people.
Entrance (Level 2 South Block - Addington Road)
- This entrance is located on the left hand side of the hospital building, off Addington Road.
- The entrance area is clearly signed.
- There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
- There is step-free access via ramp at the entrance.
- The ramp has a steep gradient.
- The ramp is between 75cm and 150cm wide with handrails on both sides.
- The ramp bypasses the steps.
- There are 6 steps with a handrail on the right going down.
- The handrail is easy to grip.
- The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
- The handrail extends horizontally beyond the first and last step.
- The steps are unmarked.
- The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
- The height of the highest step is 15cm.
- The depth of the steps is between 30cm and 45cm.
- The height of the hand sanitiser is 126cm.
- There are double automatic doors at this entrance.
- The doors open towards you.
- The width of the opening is 176cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
- The doors have a medium visual contrast.
- There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 115cm.
- There is a second set of double automatic doors .
- The second set of doors open towards you.
- The width of the opening is 176cm.
- The second set of doors have a medium visual contrast.
- There is step-free level access as you enter.
- This entrance gives access to Level 2 of the South Block.
Lift (South Block - Lift 5005)
- The lift surveyed is located along the South Block main corridor.
- The distance from the Level 2 Main Entrance is 125m.
- The most accessible route to the lift has a slight ramp or slope and doors permanently held open.
- Level 1 and Level 2 are accessed by this lift.
- The lift door has a high visual contrast.
- The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
- The external lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
- All of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- The lift door opening width is 122cm.
- The internal dimensions of the lift are 158cm (width) x 277cm (depth).
- The internal lift control buttons have tactile markings and a high visual contrast.
- All of the internal lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
- Internally the lift has: a hearing assistance alarm system, a visual floor indicator, an audible announcer and a list of floor services/facilities.
- Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
- There is no public access to Level 3 of the South Block via this lift.
Entrance (Bereavement Office)
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on Level 1 of the South Block.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is not an intercom.
- There is not a hand sanitiser.
- There is not a door release button when exiting.
- The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
- The door(s) is/are double width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 148cm.
Opening Times (Viewing Suite (Mortuary))
- Access is by appointment only.
Entrance (Viewing Suite (Mortuary))
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Entrance Details
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- This information is for the entrance located on Level 1 of the South Block.
- The entrance area/door is clearly signed with the name of the service/department.
- There is step free access at this entrance.
- There is not a bell/buzzer.
- There is an intercom.
- The height of the intercom is 150cm .
- There is not a hand sanitiser.
- There is a door release button when exiting.
- The height of the door release button is 135cm (4ft 5in).
- The main door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) may be difficult to open.
- The width of the door opening is 85cm.
- There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
Waiting Room / Area
- There is a waiting room / area.
- The waiting room / area is approximately 1m from the Viewing Suite (Mortuary) entrance.
- There is level access into the waiting room / area.
- There is not a/are not door(s) into the waiting room / area.
- The type of flooring is carpet.
- There is a space for a wheelchair user to wait within the seating area.
- All chairs are permanently fixed.
- Chairs with armrests are not available.
- No tables are permanently fixed.
- The surface height of the lowest table is 39cm.
- The surface height of the highest table is 39cm.
- The tables do contrast visually with the floor.
- There is ample room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- Announcements are in person.
- The waiting room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the waiting room / area.
- There is not a television.
- Vending machines are not available.
- A water dispenser is not available.
- There is not a play area or toys/books for a child to play with.
- There is space for an assistance dog to rest within the seating area.
- Lighting levels are good.
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Comments
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- There is a bell to ring for assistance.
- The height of the bell is 148cm.
- There is a fridge with bottles of water for visitors as shown in photograph 3.
Room / Area (Viewing Suite (Mortuary))
- There is / are 1 room(s) / area(s) available.
- The name / number of the room / area surveyed was; Viewing Suite (Mortuary).
- The room / area is approximately 4m from the Viewing Suite (Mortuary) entrance.
- There is level access to the room / area.
- There is a/are door(s) into the room / area.
- The door(s) open(s) away from you (push).
- The door(s) is/are single width.
- The door(s) is/are easy to open.
- The width of the door opening is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The type of flooring is vinyl/laminate.
- There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre.
- There is a chair.
- No chairs are permanently fixed.
- The chair(s) is not/are not height adjustable.
- All chairs have armrests available.
- There is not a hearing assistance system.
- The room / area does not have background music playing.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the room / area.
- Lighting levels are good.
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Comments
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- There is a bell to ring for assistance.
- The height of the bell is 146cm.
Toilet with Adaptations (Right Hand Transfer)
- There is an/are accessible toilet(s) available.
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Location and Access
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- This accessible toilet is located to the left as you enter the Viewing Suite (Mortuary).
- This accessible toilet is approximately 3m from the Viewing Suite (Mortuary) entrance.
- There is step-free access into the accessible toilet.
- This is a shared toilet.
- A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
- There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
- The contrast between the external door and wall is high.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door may be difficult to open.
- The door is locked by a lever twist.
- The width of the accessible toilet opening is 85cm.
- The contrast between the internal door and wall is high.
- The door has a horizontal grab rail.
- The contrast between the horizontal grab rail and internal door is high.
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Toilet Features
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- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 177cm x 205cm.
- The accessible toilet does not have an unobstructed minimum turning space of 150cm x 150cm.
- The lighting levels are good.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
- The lateral transfer space is 70cm.
- The transfer space is obstructed by a waste disposal bin.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- There is not a spatula type lever flush.
- There is a lever flush.
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- The visual contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall is medium.
- There is a/are wall-mounted grab rail(s) available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rail(s) is/are on the right.
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the transfer side.
- There is not a horizontal wall-mounted grab rail on the opposite side of the seat to the transfer space.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is medium.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is high.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency alarm is fully functional.
- There is not a red flashing fire alarm beacon within the toilet.
- Disposal facilities are available in the toilet.
- There is a/are pedal bin disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
- The height of the coat hook is 130cm from the floor.
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Additional Fixtures
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- There is a mirror.
- The mirror is not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
- The toilet has a backrest.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
- The toilet seat colour contrast is low.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 72cm (2ft 4in).
- The contrast between the toilet roll holder and the wall is high.
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin and tap(s) can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
- The height of the wash basin is 80cm (2ft 7in).
- There is a vertical wall-mounted grab rail on the left hand side of the wash basin.
- The contrast between the wash basin wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is medium.
- The wash basin tap type is lever mixer.
- There is a wall fixed soap dispenser.
- The soap dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The height of the soap dispenser is 118cm.
- There is a towel dispenser.
- The towel dispenser can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the towel dispenser is 118cm (3ft 10in).
- The contrast between the towel dispenser and the wall is high.
- There is not a hand dryer.
Standard Toilet(s)
- Standard toilet facilities are not available.
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Comments
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- The accessible toilet can also be used as the standard toilet.
Toilet and Changing Facilities (Royal Berkshire Hospital)
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Toilet Facilities
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- There are 10+ toilets with adaptations.
- Toilets with adaptations are located in the Level 2 main entrance foyer, on Level 2 of the Centre Block and South Block, on Level 3 of the South Block and Eye Block and on Level 1 of the Battle Block, South Block and North Block.
- The transfer space varies between left and right in the toilets with adaptations.
- Ambulant toilet facilities are located within the male and female standard toilets on Level 2 of the South Block and on Level 3 of the South Block.
- The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located in the main entrance foyer on Level 2, on Level 2 of the South Block and on Level 2 and Level 5 of the Maternity Block.
- The male step-free toilet facilities are located on Level 1 of the South Block.
- The gender inclusive step-free toilet facilities are located on Level 1 of the Battle Block, on Level 2 of the Eye Block, on Level 3 of the South Block, on Level 1 of the North Block, on Level 2 of the Centre Block and on Level 4 of the Maternity Block.
- The female toilet facilities are located on Level 1 and Level 3 of the South Block.
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Changing Places and Changing Facilities
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- The Changing Places toilet facilities are located next to the Level 1 Main Entrance.
- Parent and baby changing facilities are located in the toilet with adaptations in the main entrance foyer on Level 2, within the toilet with adaptions and within the stoma friendly male and female cubicles on Level 2 of the South Block and within the stoma friendly toilets on Level 2 of the Centre Block.
Related Access Guides
- To view other Detailed Access Guides that are related to this one please use the links below.
- South Block - Building Guide link (new tab) - click here.
- Centre Block - Building Guide link (new tab) - click here.
- Bereavement Office link (new tab) - click here.
